Star Wars: Episode II - Page One

War looms on the horizon as the Galactic Senate attempts to appease the demands of the hostile CONCORD DAWN system.

In an effort to crush all opposition, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine orders an armada of huge warships to blockade the systems surrounding Concord Dawn. Unknown to the rest of the galaxy, Concord Dawn has been manufacturing an unstoppable army of clones.

Anakin Skywalker and Obi Wan Kenobi race toward Coruscant to witness the dreaded declaration of war. Anakin has other plans, as he prepares to reunite with the young queen of Naboo...

EXT SPACE - ESTABLISHING

Obi Wan's ship races through space toward Coruscant.

INT OBI WAN'S SHIP - CONTINUING

ANAKIN SKYWALKER (20 yrs), a handsome and powerful jedi apprentice, lounges in a chair. He levitates a piece of metal pipe with one hand. As it rises off the floor, he makes a crushing motion with the other hand. The pipe begins to crush and cave in.

OBI WAN KENOBI, jedi knight, enters. He stops short as he sees the pipe collapse.

Obi Wan and Anakin exit the ship. A COURIER, Fez Rimrah, bows and gestures to an awaiting taxi ship.

COURIER

The Jedi Council asked me to meet you here.

OBI WAN KENOBI

Can you take us to the Senate?

COURIER

With all speed. Please.

Obi Wan and Anakin enter the taxi. Anakin looks very uncomfortable.

INT TAXI SHIP - CONTINUING

ANAKIN

Something is very wrong here.

OBI WAN KENOBI

I sense only concern about the war.

ANAKIN

There's something out there.

EXT CORUSCANT - GALACTIC SENATE - DAY

The Senate building rises above the surrounding monoliths. The taxi weaves through traffic and enters the landing area.

INT GALACTIC SENATE - MAIN ROTUNDA - DAY

Hundreds, if not thousands, of delegates from across the galaxy gather in council. PALPATINE, the Supreme Chancellor, stands at the head of the council.

At Palpatine's right stands GRAND MOFF TARKIN.

PALPATINE

Friends, dignitaries, and Senators, it is with grave concern that I stand before you today. Our very security is threatened from within by the Concord Dawn System.

The Senators from Concord Dawn float up in front of Palpatine.

CONCORD DAWN SENATOR

You are weak! You cannot control your own borders, let alone an entire galaxy!

GRAND MOFF TARKIN

The Senate does not recognize the Senator from Concord Dawn.

The Senator from Malastare, AKS MOE, floats up towards Palpatine.

AKS MOE

The Sovereignty of Malastare supports the Republic of Concord Dawn in their movement for expansion.

PALPATINE

The motion will be brought to a vote at the appropriate time, Senator. Please return to your place.

Aks Moe twitches as a greater force exerts its will on his mind. He returns to his place.

PALPATINE

There will be no more outbursts. We have called this council to vote on the matter of war.

BAIL ANTILLES, of Alderaan, motions to speak.

GRAND MOFF TARKIN

The Chair recognizes the Senator from Alderaan.

BAIL ANTILLES

Supreme Chancellor, to go to war now would be folly. We have many diplomatic alternatives still open to us.

Grand Moff Tarkin leans over and whispers to Palpatine.

GRAND MOFF TARKIN

Many will agree with him.

PALPATINE

Let them agree. War is inevitable.

Murmurs begin among the Senate, agreeing with Bail Antilles.

PALPATINE

Peace, my friends. I do not disagree with any diplomatic means of settling disputes, but I worry that this diplomacy will find us back where we were when Valorum stood as your Supreme Chancellor.

The murmurs stop. The point is well taken.

PALPATINE

Endless debates only serve to weaken the power of the Senate. We are the ruling power of the galaxy. If we choose to surrender that power, we become subjects to the cold grasp of fate. Only by seizing our destiny can we hope to control the fate of the galaxy.

Cheers erupt for Palpatine.

MON MOTHMA, senator from Chandrila, speaks over the cheering crowds.

MON MOTHMA

Supreme Chancellor, if we go to war, who will lead us? You?

(to Senate)

If we let this man lead us into war, we surrender all our rights to him. Think, sentients. Make the decision for yourself.

AMIDALA (25 yrs), the beautiful young queen of Naboo, whispers to the senator from Naboo. She raises her voice in support of Mon Mothma.

AMIDALA

The Republic of Naboo concurs with the senators from Chandrila and from Alderaan. Chancellor Palpatine, your own people wish peace, not war. Will you not listen to them?

PALPATINE

Good Senators, let us vote now. Do we surrender our rights to the hostilities of Concord Dawn? Or do we fight for our inborn rights to choose?

The Senate erupts in shouts of war.

The Concord Dawn Senator spits at Palpatine, and pulls a Mandalorian War Mask over his face. He returns to his place.